EXCLUSIVE: Most common causes of house fires in Rutland revealed
There's been 52 dwelling fires in Rutland since 2017
Exclusive data obtained by Greatest Hits Radio from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue shows there's been 52 dwelling fires in Rutland since 2017 - more than ten per year in our county.
Our breakdown shows the most common causes of fires in homes were cooking appliances or due to faults with equipment, which together made up almost half of the total number of fires over the past 5 years.
In the months from November to March, however, faults with appliances alone - including heating equipment - caused the most fires.
What's been causing Rutland house fires in winter?
From November to March, there's been a number of different causes since 2017:
- Faulty fuel supply: 3
- Combustible articles too close to a heat source: 2
- Fault in appliance or equipment: 6 (most)
- Chimney fire: 4
- Negligent use of equipment or appliance (heat source): 4
- Cooking: 3
- Faulty leads or wiring: 2
No unnecessary risks
With plenty of us using alternative ways of keeping warm this winter during the energy crisis, fire and rescue services are urging us to be as safe as possible - and to not take any unnecessary risks.
Dan Moss, from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said: 'We're conscious that log burners are really popular at the minute with regards to the cost of living and people looking to try and reduce the cost.'
'...maybe they're thinking about fitting them themselves. We absolutely urge people not to do that - we would ask them to get specialist advice and support to make sure they're fitted properly.'
He added: 'As we go into the winter months, the risk will be raised about dwelling fires. We recognise people are going to be making some really difficult decisions, we urge them to make those decisions with safety in mind.'